The Moderate Way of Hermeneutics in the Noble Eight Fold Path: An Analytic, Appreciative and Applicative Study

Abstract

The objective of this study was made to answer the question: “Can the Noble Eightfold Path be interpreted by using the moderate postmodern paradigm?” The research was found out that the opponents who defended that the Noble Eightfold Path could not be interpreted as moderate postmodern, are supported by three clear-cut  reasons:  1) the Noble Eightfold Path must be interpreted only literally in order to observe the integrity of Buddha’s teaching and to remain faithful to the accepted exegesis; 2) the Noble Eightfold Path must be interpreted in line with the roots of the Pali original text to avoid confusion; and  3) the Noble Eightfold Path must be interpreted to conform with the science scopes in order to raise awareness of practicing systematically. The researcher is of the opinion that can the Noble Eightfold Path be interpreted by using the moderate postmodern paradigm and discovered because some weaknesses in the opponents’ reason, such as 1) The Tipitaka text had been revised by several councils, the context of Noble Eightfold Path underwent development accordingly together with the interpretations, by which the reform is unavoidable. In addition, the exegetes used their contemporary method to make clear, and described the Noble Eightfold Path update in their times so as to open the way to the more advanced exegesis at present, 2) the Noble Eightfold Path that had been interpreted scientifically suffered the criteria based on science, because, the criteria of science could change but the Noble Eightfold Path which is a basic principle of Buddhism could not change.